Fast-rising water flooding parts of Fredericton

The fast-rising Saint John River spilled its banks Friday, submerging parts of downtown Fredericton as it shut roads and impacted up to 100 homes.

A number of ramps to the Westmoreland Street Bridge in the city’s downtown were already under water, and a number of streets barricaded because of flood waters.

“We want people to respect those barricades because going through them you don’t know what’s underneath the water,” said Wayne Tallon, Fredericton’s director of emergency measures.

“The roads might be giving way so we have absolutely no idea of the conditions of the roads. Also if the barricades are close to the river you could easily be swept out to the river because the currents are very very strong.”

Even a number of streets and intersections away from the river have been closed because of water backing up through the storm sewers.

Tallon said the river was already 1.5 metres above the flood stage of 6.5 metres and quickly approaching levels reached during a significant flood 10 years ago. In 2008, the river reached 8.36 metres, flooding homes, businesses and streets on both sides of the river.

The city’s green space, walking trails and sports fields near the river were all flooded Friday morning.

Other areas, including Jemseg and Maugerville, were also at risk of flooding that’s being caused by snow melt and rain, with more rain in the forecast.